Warts and molluscum are two common viral skin infections, harmless but annoying. Warts are caused by a human papillomavirus, molluscum by a poxvirus. Both are contagious, often affect children, and frequently go away on their own, but not always quickly. The real question is therefore: treat, or wait? In Marrakech, Dr Sara Zahid, dermatologist in Guéliz, first examines what it actually is (a wart can look like a corn, a mole or a more serious lesion), then chooses with you, child or adult, between monitoring and treatment.
Warts are small growths caused by a virus that infects the surface layer of the skin. They appear on hands, fingers, feet (plantar warts), sometimes the face. The virus is caught by direct contact or on damp surfaces (swimming pool, bathroom), and spreads more easily on damaged skin. Many warts disappear on their own within a few months to a few years, because the body eventually recognises the virus.
These are small firm bumps, pink or pearly, with a tiny dip in the centre, seen mostly in children. They spread by contact and scratching, more easily in children with eczema. In adults they sometimes affect the genital area, through contact: an examination is then needed. Molluscum usually clears up on its own, but it can take several months.
It is reasonable to wait when lesions are few, discreet and painless and the child is not bothered: spontaneous clearing is common. We treat when they hurt (plantar wart), bother, multiply, become infected or spread in the household, and in people with a weakened immune system. The decision is individual, and medical advice avoids useless or aggressive treatments.
Depending on the lesion, the dermatologist can choose among several methods: products applied to the skin to make the wart peel, destruction by cold, curettage of molluscum, other techniques depending on the area and age. No treatment is instant or free of possible recurrence: several sessions are sometimes needed, and the virus can come back. In children, the least painful methods are preferred.
A lesion that looks like a wart can be something else: a corn, a mole, a keratosis, or rarely a more serious lesion. A wart that bleeds, grows fast, does not respond to treatment or appears at an unusual age should be examined, with dermoscopy if needed.
Do not scratch, pierce or cut the lesions; wash your hands afterwards. Do not share towels or razors, protect plantar warts in damp places, and cover lesions with a plaster if the situation calls for it. For a child, it is generally not necessary to keep them away from school.
At the Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, in Guéliz, with Dr Sara Zahid, dermatologist, by appointment, in French, English or Arabic, children and adults.
Often, within a few months to a few years, but not always. If they hurt, multiply or bother you, a treatment can be offered.
Yes, by direct contact or on damp surfaces such as swimming pools or bathrooms.
A viral skin infection that forms small firm pink bumps with a tiny central dip, mostly in children.
Not always: it usually clears up on its own in several months. We treat if it bothers, multiplies, comes with eczema or to limit spread.
No: it encourages spread, infection and scarring.
Yes, the virus can persist in the neighbouring skin. Several sessions and follow-up are sometimes needed.
Generally not: no school exclusion is needed. Lesions are covered where possible and shared items avoided.
A wart interrupts the normal lines of the skin and may show tiny black dots; a corn is smooth and hard. Examination by the dermatologist confirms it.
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